Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan is returning home from the Junior All Blacks' rugby tour of Australia after being suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Cowan, a 2004 All Black, was suspended for one-week following an incident in Brisbane last Friday night.
The New Zealand Rugby Union today said Cowan had been stood down for one week after being "charged and fined for contravening direction as a result of attempting to enter a bar after being asked to leave".
The Junior All Blacks had beaten Queensland 48-10 in Brisbane last Wednesday and are now preparing for the third and final match of the three-match tour, against Australia A in Sydney on Friday night.
Bay of Plenty halfback Kevin Senio has been called up as cover for Cowan, while Steve Devine, the halfback last night when the tourists beat Australia A 23-19 in Canberra, is returning home with three of his Auckland provincial teammates.
Ben Atiga, John Afoa, Devine and Jerome Kaino have been released from the squad to prepare for Auckland's match against the Lions in Auckland next Tuesday.
Otago prop Carl Hoeft is also returning home for the birth of his child.
Two other Auckland players, Joe Rokocoko and Saimone Taumoepeau, will remain with the Junior All Blacks for the final match.
Waikato flanker Marty Holah has also rejoined the team in Australia.
Holah joined the All Blacks in Christchurch last week as cover for Richie McCaw, who subsequently overcame a back strain to play for New Zealand in their 21-3 first test win over the Lions last Saturday.
NZPA